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Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,074,986 times
Reputation: 3937
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyyc
Ok. If I had to have something from the Motor Company, probably the new XR1200, or a Fat Bob.
That being said, I'd go for a Victory or Confederate "big twin" before most things HD soley due to the poser value. Even if you really ride, you usually will get thrown in with the RUB crowd. Nothing makes me shake my head more than going to a ride, and seeing all the bikes that are trailered in. It's a RIDE, not a pose off. Just for the record, I have my own pair of Vtwins, they just happen to be made by Aprilia.
Harley Davidson - 19th Century technology with 21st Century pricing.
A recent survey found that 94% of all Harley Davidson's made are still on the road. The other 6% made it to their destination.
Location: On the "Left Coast", somewhere in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts"
8,852 posts, read 10,451,396 times
Reputation: 6670
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyyc
Ok. If I had to have something from the Motor Company, probably the new XR1200, or a Fat Bob.
That being said, I'd go for a Victory or Confederate "big twin" before most things HD soley due to the poser value. Even if you really ride, you usually will get thrown in with the RUB crowd. Nothing makes me shake my head more than going to a ride, and seeing all the bikes that are trailered in. It's a RIDE, not a pose off. Just for the record, I have my own pair of Vtwins, they just happen to be made by Aprilia.
Harley Davidson - 19th Century technology with 21st Century pricing.
A recent survey found that 94% of all Harley Davidson's made are still on the road. The other 6% made it to their destination.
Dunno, maybe things have improved a bit with Victory or the big metric cruisers, but seems like the V-twin design doesn't really cut it for anything longer than a local putt, especially with a passenger.
The look and the simplicity makes it perfect for designing a custom chopper, and the sound & distinctive vibration are admittedly cool around town, but on a long haul, it's hard to compete with a smooth & cushy multi-, or even opposed-jug (beemer) engine design. Not to mention the limits of air-cooling.
Dunno, maybe things have improved a bit with Victory or the big metric cruisers, but seems like the V-twin design doesn't really cut it for anything longer than a local putt, especially with a passenger.
The look and the simplicity makes it perfect for designing a custom chopper, and the sound & distinctive vibration are admittedly cool around town, but on a long haul, it's hard to compete with a smooth & cushy multi-, or even opposed-jug (beemer) engine design. Not to mention the limits of air-cooling.
You need to expand your definition of V-twin to include Ducati, Aprilia, KTM....all have dedicated high-power, liquid cooled, long distance ability.
Why would a flat twin be significantly better than a v for passenger hauling?
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,074,986 times
Reputation: 3937
Quote:
Originally Posted by mateo45
Dunno, maybe things have improved a bit with Victory or the big metric cruisers, but seems like the V-twin design doesn't really cut it for anything longer than a local putt, especially with a passenger.
The look and the simplicity makes it perfect for designing a custom chopper, and the sound & distinctive vibration are admittedly cool around town, but on a long haul, it's hard to compete with a smooth & cushy multi-, or even opposed-jug (beemer) engine design. Not to mention the limits of air-cooling.
This my pick as one of the best long haul engines ever built AND it'll make the big twins hunt a hole when it comes to running hard.
Location: On the "Left Coast", somewhere in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts"
8,852 posts, read 10,451,396 times
Reputation: 6670
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyyc
You need to expand your definition of V-twin to include Ducati, Aprilia, KTM....all have dedicated high-power, liquid cooled, long distance ability.
Why would a flat twin be significantly better than a v for passenger hauling?
Sorry, thought it was clear I was talking about traditional 45 degree, air-cooled v-twins (Harley), instead of 90 degree "L-twins" (Ducati), liquid-cooled 60 degree twins (Aprilia), or liquid-cooled 75 degree twins (KTM). In any case, there's still the issue of more vibration than multi-heads, but I guess "comfort" is relative.
Flat twins combine the high torque advantages of all twins, with the smoothness of opposing heads (cancels the vibrations), plus the low center of gravity (easier to handle). Although even BMW twins had to eventually go to liquid (oil)-cooling to reliably allow for larger displacements.
Quote:
Originally Posted by muleskinner
This my pick as one of the best long haul engines ever built AND it'll make the big twins hunt a hole when it comes to running hard.
Ah yes, Goldwings! Big cubes, low center of gravity, and there's probably still no end to what they can push that engine out to. Can't tell... is that the Valkyrie motor?
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,074,986 times
Reputation: 3937
Quote:
Originally Posted by mateo45
Sorry, thought it was clear I was talking about traditional 45 degree, air-cooled v-twins (Harley), instead of 90 degree "L-twins" (Ducati), liquid-cooled 60 degree twins (Aprilia), or liquid-cooled 75 degree twins (KTM). In any case, there's still the issue of more vibration than multi-heads, but I guess "comfort" is relative.
Flat twins combine the high torque advantages of all twins, with the smoothness of opposing heads (cancels the vibrations), plus the low center of gravity (easier to handle). Although even BMW twins had to eventually go to liquid (oil)-cooling to reliably allow for larger displacements.
Ah yes, Goldwings! Big cubes, low center of gravity, and there's probably still no end to what they can push that engine out to. Can't tell... is that the Valkyrie motor?
Yes it is...that is my current ride too...99 Interstate.
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,074,986 times
Reputation: 3937
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyyc
Honda. 1500cc's of six cylinder goodness. Brought to you by your local Valkyrie. Sorry to see it gone.
Of course the new 1800 is pretty nice too.
I have yet to ride an 1800,but I have a friend that has one and it seems to run like a scaulded dog.We are kind of a weird bunch around here...we run the heck out of these big bikes(AND maxi scoots too) and I LOVE them myself.It makes my "secret spot" tingle to pin the ears back on that thing and roll around a group of HD weekend warriors with the Allmans cranked up,cig in my mouth and just flat disappear as they struggle along making a racket.It's one of the few sinful joys I have left in my life since I quit drinking and running around with women of low morals and no class (they couldn't have had any class or they wouldn't have been with me in the first place)
Muleskinner, you are a good man! Make me laugh anyway and remember my own largely misspent youth "swimmin' with bole-legged wimmen"!
Mateo, that Goldwing hitch is really radical. Great bikes beyond any doubt.
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